Arts Psychotherapy

Arts Psychotherapy can be offered to children who are experiencing a level of challenge that we would not expect them to navigate by themselves. This might include complex bereavement, significant anxiety, young carers or vulnerable families who need additional support to thrive. 

Arts Psychotherapy is part of our Wave 3 provision, meaning that the child is likely to have accessed other school support first. Our Arts Psychotherapist works alongside other school staff and at times external agencies in order to achieve the best outcomes for the child. 

Arts Psychotherapy works through one-to-one play, creativity and talking. Your child will be offered sessions on a weekly basis at a time that minimises the disruption to their class timetable. In therapy, patterns of behaviour, attachment and emotional regulation are explored, both directly and thematically. It is a space where feelings and behaviour are not judged but explored with curiosity to develop deeper understanding. From this place of insight, we can develop strategies to make more helpful choices or receive more support. 

Sometimes the therapist will assess or screen the child for other underlying needs, such as neurodivergence or mental health concerns. These are not diagnoses but means that the school can identify areas of need and signpost to other services if required.